Long-term Work on Stretch of I-35W Set to Begin Thursday Night

October 18, 2018 08:01 PM

Those who drive through the south metro as part of their commute will see some significant, long-term changes to their drive starting Thursday evening.

KSTP Traffic Reporter Josie Smith said Minnesota Department of Transportation crews will start work on a stretch of southbound Interstate 35W between 106th Street in Bloomington and Cliff Road in Burnsville.

Advertisement

Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures while a new configuration is put into place, Smith said. The closures will include reducing southbound lanes from four to three. There will be two lanes for general traffic during the afternoon commute and one lane for MnPASS. The ramp from 106th Street to southbound I-35W is also closing until the summer of 2021.

The work is part of a larger project to replace the I-35W bridge over the Minnesota River. The goal is to raise a segment of I-35W out of the flood plain and improve pedestrian access across the river.

MnDOT officials said approximately 120,000 drivers make the trip over the busy river crossing every day.